A CNA is eligible for certification by endorsement from any other state to Arizona if he or she:
Provides proof of completing a 120 hour nursing assistant program approved by another state or territory.
Is active on a nursing assistant registry in another state and meets one of the following:
A CNA must be active and in good standing to obtain endorsement in Arizona. To have your license endorsed you need to complete the Application for CNA Certification by Endorsement and mail it to Arizona State Board of Nursing, submit the proof of nurse aide registration form to your current state of certification including documentation or proof of passing the test and complete a fingerprint card. Before you submit your application read the instructions carefully, make sure you complete each question on the application, leaving no blanks and include a copy of acceptable documentation of lawful presence.
Some states charge a fee for completion of the nurse aide registration form. Check with the state in which you are certified to find out the fee you must pay before sending the proof of registration form to your current state of certification. The state will return the proof of registration form directly to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. There is also a $50 fee associated with requesting certification by endorsement in Arizona and fingerprinting is required for all CNA applicants.
A fingerprint card will be mailed to you after your application is received if you have not included one with your application. It can take a minimum of 4 to 5 weeks to receive fingerprint results back from DPS and the FBI. You cannot receive permanent licensure until these results are received. If the results of your fingerprint check show a positive criminal history, an investigation may be started and you will not be certified until the investigation is done. This may take 4 to 6 months. An individual is not eligible for certification if the individual has any felony convictions and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions. The absolute discharge from the sentence for all felony convictions must be received 5 or more years before submitting the application.
When you submit an application, the Arizona Board of Nursing will send you a deficiency notice identifying any elements of the application process which remain outstanding. If you fail to respond to a deficiency notice within the applicable time period, your application will be withdrawn. After withdrawal, if you are still interested in obtaining licensure you would need to submit a new application and applicable fee. After approximately two or three weeks of submitting your application, go to License Verification to check on the progress of your application. It will show you what is still pending.